The Junior Springboks have kicked off the World Rugby Under 20 Championship with a bang, demolishing Australia 73-17 in a sweltering showdown in Calvisano, Italy. Despite the dazzling scoreline and a try-fest that saw them crossing the line 11 times, the team's feet remain firmly planted on the ground.
Riley Norton, the SA U20 captain, was quick to temper the excitement post-match, acknowledging the victory but recognizing the room for improvement.
“Definitely not the perfect performance, hey. Australia played some really good rugby there at the end and definitely still some things for us to improve. I’m proud of the gents, we’ll enjoy the victory tonight but then it’s straight back to work. It’s a five-day turnaround then we’ve got to get ready for England, who are a great team.”
Norton was particularly impressed with how his team managed the ball, "What pleased me the most was how we were able to hold on to the ball through numerous phases and go coast to coast. In the TRC [The Under 20 Rugby Championship] it’s something we really wanted to improve on. Our outside backs were absolutely unbelievable, in their one-on-ones with wings and outside backs. They could score from anywhere. And of course our set piece. We as South Africans pride ourselves on that and I think it fired today as well."
The emphatic victory was more than just a game; it was a statement. After a disappointing performance in last month's Under 20 Rugby Championship on home soil, where they lost 48-45 to New Zealand and blew a 17-0 lead against Australia to finish third, the Junior Boks were itching for redemption. Norton captured the team's motivation perfectly:
“We talked about it a lot. We never like losing, especially at home in front of our home crowd, so it was definitely something that fuelled us for today.”
With their sights set on their next challenge, the Junior Springboks are gearing up for a clash against the tournament's defending champions, England, this Friday at 6 pm. This upcoming match promises to be a crucial test for the young South African squad, eager to prove that their opening performance was no fluke.
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The Junior Springboks have kicked off the World Rugby Under 20 Championship with a bang, demolishing Australia 73-17 in a sweltering showdown in Calvisano, Italy. Despite the dazzling scoreline and a try-fest that saw them crossing the line 11 times, the team's feet remain firmly planted on the ground.
Riley Norton, the SA U20 captain, was quick to temper the excitement post-match, acknowledging the victory but recognizing the room for improvement.
“Definitely not the perfect performance, hey. Australia played some really good rugby there at the end and definitely still some things for us to improve. I’m proud of the gents, we’ll enjoy the victory tonight but then it’s straight back to work. It’s a five-day turnaround then we’ve got to get ready for England, who are a great team.”
Norton was particularly impressed with how his team managed the ball, "What pleased me the most was how we were able to hold on to the ball through numerous phases and go coast to coast. In the TRC [The Under 20 Rugby Championship] it’s something we really wanted to improve on. Our outside backs were absolutely unbelievable, in their one-on-ones with wings and outside backs. They could score from anywhere. And of course our set piece. We as South Africans pride ourselves on that and I think it fired today as well."
The emphatic victory was more than just a game; it was a statement. After a disappointing performance in last month's Under 20 Rugby Championship on home soil, where they lost 48-45 to New Zealand and blew a 17-0 lead against Australia to finish third, the Junior Boks were itching for redemption. Norton captured the team's motivation perfectly:
“We talked about it a lot. We never like losing, especially at home in front of our home crowd, so it was definitely something that fuelled us for today.”
With their sights set on their next challenge, the Junior Springboks are gearing up for a clash against the tournament's defending champions, England, this Friday at 6 pm. This upcoming match promises to be a crucial test for the young South African squad, eager to prove that their opening performance was no fluke.